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Thank you to those who joined us for the combined business meeting and 2017 Grand Proclamation on Saturday 1 July, which consisted of the proclamation of our current Grand Master MW Bro Alan Maurice Townson, our Deputy Grand Master RW Bro Paul Andrew Holland, and the investiture of our new Assistant Grand Master RW Bro Christopher Leonard Pyke and Grand Officers. We hope you enjoyed the day.

The Stonecutters have arrived back from their adventures in the outback! Bros Thomas Christensen and Luke Roberts have completed The 2017 Cancer Council Car Rally in their 1960 Hillman Minx. All up they raised $10 350 for the team, and a massive $1.64M was raised for the rally in total. The car did them well and they truly got the "rally experience" with many days having to contend with issues in the car and fatigue.

Keep an eye out for the September edition of The Queensland Freemason magazine for a full report on their adventures and mishaps. Members can access more photos in the Members Section of the UGLQ website http://www.uglq.org.au/member-resource-centre

We extend to Queensland Freemasons and their partners and ladies a cordial invitation to attend the Grand Proclamation, Winter Quarterly Communication and associated ladies’ afternoon tea at the Masonic Memorial Centre, 311 Ann Street, Brisbane on Saturday 1 July 2017.

The ceremony will consist of the proclamation of our current Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Alan Maurice Townson and our Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother Paul Andrew Holland, and the investiture of our new Assistant Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother Christopher Leonard Pyke and Grand Officers.

As part of their 60th anniversary celebrations to mark sixty years of the Scarborough Masonic Centre, Redcliffe First Settlement Lodge have teamed up with Guide Dogs Australia and will be holding a dining in the dark event on Saturday 27 May.

Following on from the success of Dine in the Dark at the Ipswich Masonic Centre, hosted by United Tradesmen’s Lodge, and with the blessing and support of United Tradesmen’s lodge secretary Wor Bro Ian Brown, plans swiftly got underway.

Come along for a fun filled evening and experience.

The cost per person is $40 or you can purchase a table of six for $240.

There will be a silent auction and other entertainment.

If you would like a ticket or a table for you or your business, please contact Bro Chris Brown 0423 783 340.

In April, the Stonecutters hosted a paintball day at Tactical Ops Paintball in Calvert, raising money for the Cancer Council in preparation for the annual Cancer Council Car Rally.

There were approximately 30 in the group, some friends and others who attended on the day, who all contributed towards The Stonecutters’ fundraising goals. The team managed to raise $508 through a portion of the registration fee and paintballs sold, which contributed to their total funds raised for the Cancer Council.

Thomas was reported to have been shot “a fair bit” and had a great time. The team was permitted to drive their rally car, a pale green 1960s Hillman Minx, onto the range to use for target practice and shelter during the games.

At the time of writing, The Stonecutters have raised $10 100 for the Cancer Council, and the Cancer Council Car Rally as a whole has raised more than $1.3million. They are scheduled to depart on 27 May.

This year, apart from having an older car, the Rally has a new major sponsor, Bingle Insurance; the Bingle car will be in The Stonecutters’ buddy group, which will hopefully give them some additional publicity.

“Thank you to the lodges, brethren and sponsors who have donated,” said The Stonecutters. “We are grateful to have gained most of our sponsors through Masonic ties.”

The Queensland Masonic Social Club, QMSC is a group run by Queensland Freemasons. It is open to all Masons, family members and friends to promote inclusive social activities and youth of the Craft.

QMSC plan regular monthly social events, with each month featuring something new in a different location. Social events include activities such as paintball, breakfasts, afternoon beers, motorbike rides, off-road outings, BBQs, cricket matches, dinners, barefoot bowling and more.

The last we heard from the Queensland Masonic Social Club, the group and their family and friends had gone 4WD’ing on Bribie Island. Most recently, the group journeyed to Double Island Beach for hiking and activities. The day was enjoyed by all.

Mrs Robyn Townson’s charity of choice is the Lady Cilento Childrens’ Hospital Foundation, supporting Queensland children of all ages, both in the cities and rural areas, who are cared for and nurtured back to health by wonderful team of doctors and nurses, carers, parents and volunteers.

Limited edition raffle tickets are being sold for $5 with all proceeds contributing to the Lady Cilento Childrens’ Hospital Foundation.

The first prize will be a beautiful coin pearl necklace with baroque pearl enhancer, earrings, silk scarf and a $100 voucher all to the value of $800 from Panda Pearls. The second prize will be a Bunnings voucher to the value of $250.

Entries close Friday 25 August 2017 and will be drawn at the September Quarterly Communications.

On Tuesday 25 April, Freemasons Queensland commemorated ANZAC Day, hosting a wreath-laying service in the morning, and an evening ceremony.

At the morning ceremony, lodge representatives gathered to pay their respects and lay wreaths at the Masonic Memorial Urn at Ann Street. The ceremony was followed by a procession to The Eternal Flame at Anzac Square where MW Bro Alan Townson laid a wreath.

The night ceremony was open to the public and featured guest speaker MAJGEN Retd Prof Darryl Low Choy AM MBE RFD. In attendance were representatives from government, scouts Queensland, the girl guides of Queensland, the State Chairman of the RSL, the Country Women’s Association and cadets from TS Paluma.

The March edition of The Queensland Freemason magazine shared an article about Bro Troy Wolgast preparing to take part in the Leukemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave Event.

The opportunity was a great way to have a bit of fun and do something meaningful. After growing his long curly hair for 12 months, he took part in the shave in March at the Railway Hotel in Imbil, with the Hotel sponsoring him a generous $1000.

Troy’s wife, children and in-laws joined him on the day to show their support. Cheryl from the Golden Apple, an Imbil hairdresser did the honours, shaving off all of Troy’s 32 plaits done by his wife, and storing them carefully to be sent to a special company that creates wigs for cancer patients.

“I’m used to getting my hair shaved off,” said Troy. “I kind of miss it though, because it helps when I work in the hot weather.”

The World’s Greatest Shave also promotes colouring hair to raise funds. Many members in the local community came together to participate. Mad House, a local discount store, donated 12 cans of hairspray paint for the event. Motorbike riders got their beards spray painted, some with beards down to their waist! One local man got a purple mohawk. Troy’s children also joined in and spray-painted their hair too.

Lynette Wolgast, when asked what she thought of her husband’s new look said, “It’s different, but I’m used to it. It’s Troy.” She was proud of him for raising money for such a good cause.

Troy would like to thank his lodge, Telford Lodge No 291, and Braemar Lodge No 89 for the generous donations. Braemar Lodge donated $100 getting him over the $2000 line to a total of $2078. Special mention to Wor Bro Phil Jensen, VW Bro Dave Downing and VW Bro Geoffrey Taylor who made private donations.

Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland has donated$80 000 to the Joyful Foundation. Funds were raised through the Hand Heart Pocket 2016 Christmas Appeal though its network of Masonic Lodges throughout the State.

Thedonation will allow the Joyful Foundation tosupport North Queensland’s disadvantaged primary school students to reach their full potential by providing them with basic essentials like stationery packs, uniforms and the cost of extra-curricular activities and excursions for those who might normally go without.

On 1 November, Hand Heart Pocket, the charity of Freemasons Queensland, launched its 2016 Christmas Appeal to lay the foundation for a brighter future for North Queensland’s most disadvantaged primary school students.

The 2016 Christmas Appeal will benefit the Joyful Foundation Inc., a Masonic initiative which supports North Queensland’s most disadvantaged primary school students to reach their full potential by providing access to basic essentials like stationery packs, uniforms and costs for extra-curricular activities and excursions which they would normally go without.

Freemasonry incorporates many symbols. The Bennu (“ben-oo”) bird is the mythological phoenix of Egypt, an ancient deity linked to the sun, creation and rebirth. Thus, it represents renewal, creation and life. The Bennu is emblematic of the strategy behind Bennu Lodge No 538 in creating vibrant and viable Queensland lodges via transformation and renewal.

The idea for Bennu Lodge was formed out of a commitment to look for ways to create viable lodges and possibilities for the future. The process for forming the Lodge was designed to reduce the discomfort and resistance that often accompanies change. Under the Bennu model, Sunnybank Lodge No 264 and William McLeod Lodge No 241 formed an alliance to create a new entity.

Bennu Lodge No 528 is Queensland’s newest lodge. The Lodge was consecrated on Saturday 29 October 2016 at the Stones Corner Masonic Centre. It was open to the public and was the first consecration The United Grand Lodge of Queensland has held in fifteen years.

On 17 August 2016, Queensland Freemason VW Bro Peter Horn was awarded one of the nation’s highest honours for heroic conduct in the face of peril.

A Group Bravery Citation was awarded to Senior Constable Peter Horn and other members of Queensland Police who assisted in the apprehension of a man armed with two knives at Dalby, Queensland on 29 November 1997.

Following the tradition of the UGLQ ladies group, Mrs Robyn Townson has chosen the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital Foundation (LCCHF) as a most worthy Queensland charity to raise funds.

Queensland children of all ages, both in the cities and rural areas, are cared for and nurtured back to health by wonderful team of doctors and nurses, carers, parents and volunteers working for the LCCHF.

Through selling sno cones at the EKKA festival in Brisbane, Freemasons Queensland managed to raise $2000 for LCCHF. Bro Michael Rooney, a representative for the numerous Freemasons Queensland volunteers, presented a cheque for the funds raised at the September Quarterly Communications event.

Congratulations to Wor Bro Peter Fleming who was recently awarded the Australian Police medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List.

Superintendent Peter Fleming was recognised for his operational experience in the leadership and management of staff. He has served in a range of areas including intelligence, counter terrorism, major events, traffic operations, specialist crime commands, ethical standards and official corruption investigations. His roles include key management and investigative appointments and most recently as the Commissioner’s Chief of Staff.

Taila was awarded the crown at the pageant hosted this year in the United States. As a lifelong member of Job’s Daughters, she was eager to support the youth group’s 12 000 female members who are closely tied with Freemasons Queensland.

She will take a break from her studies in primary education at Bribie Island University to travel the world as an ambassador for young girls.

Taila was a finalist on The Voice in 2014 and teaches guitar in her spare time. Those who attended our 2016 Grand Installation Farewell Luncheon had the opportunity to enjoy Taila’s musical talents.

We wish Taila all the best in her busy year ahead.

Job’s Daughters is an organisation for females aged up to 20 years old. You can find more information at www.jdiqld.org

If you'd like to support Taila's fundraising for her year-long trip, please contact Mrs. Fran Burns frangelina@bigpond.com

Join Argyle Lodge for a day of fun at Laidley Bowls Club this weekend on Sunday 26 February.

The event begins at 10am for a 10.30am bowls start and will have a sausage sizzle and great prizes to be won in a multi-draw raffle. All funds raised will contribute to Blue Care, supporting aged care.

Teams of four players can register for $15 which includes a meal, and single players are also welcome.

I extend a cordial invitation to Freemasons of other jurisdictions together with their partners to join with Freemasons of Tasmania and their partners for the installation of RW Bro John William Slore as the 38th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania.

The installation and associated social functions will be held in Hobart from Thursday, 23rd February through to Sunday, 26th February, 2017.

The programme of events will commence with a Civic Reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Ald Sue Hickey, at Hobart’s historic 150 year old Town Hall. The official events will conclude with a church service at St David’s Cathedral followed by a farewell luncheon.

Tasmania’s temperate climate makes February and March an ideal time to tour our scenic island. Experience its clean air, diverse landscapes, historic towns, and enjoy its fine food and wine.

Together with my wife, Pam, RW Bro Slore, and his partner Dot, I trust you will accept this invitation to join with us for this significant Masonic occasion in Hobart next February.

On Saturday 22 October 2016, United Tradesmen’s Lodge will host their unique annual “dine in the dark” event in Ipswich.

Guests are invited to enjoy a meal … blindfolded!

“Some guests, who are really committed, blindfold themselves for the duration of the event. Other guests choose to be blindfolded just during their meal. Either way, it is a unique experience,” says Wor Bro Ian Brown, secretary for United Tradesmen’s Lodge No 12.

Tickets are available for $35 each and include a two-course dinner and entertainment. All proceeds go towards Guide Dogs Queensland.

Murilla Lodge No 265 will be hosting the annual MAN-UP! Prostate Cancer Awareness Night on Tuesday 26 July at 6.00pm at the Miles Golf Club.

There will be drinks and fellowship followed by a free BBQ. The MAN-UP! team will speak about how prostate cancer is one of the main killers of men but is not difficult to detect or to fix if caught in it’s early stages. The night will be one of good cheer with raffles and the opportunity for brethren, friends and ladies to catch up and enjoy a social night.

We extend to all a cordial invitation to attend the Grand Installation and associated functions in Brisbane from Friday 1 July to Sunday 3 July 2016.

Traditionally the venue of focus is the Grand Hall of the Ann St Memorial Centre and this ornate and cloistered space creates the appropriate ambience for our core event. Accommodation and most social gatherings are all central to the CBD.

Our Grand Master Elect is Right Worshipful Brother Alan Maurice Townson, Deputy Grand Master for the previous three years and who has the added experience of previously serving the Fraternity as an Assistant Grand Master and as President of the Board of Benevolence. Alan is a most experienced Mason.

This is another splendid opportunity to meet your fellow masons and extended family. For those who have added time available why not consider a longer stay with multiple scenic attractions within easy travel distance of the capital.

All our visitors can be assured of a hearty and warm Fraternal welcome from the local Brethren.